Chapter 502: 501. Achieving the Taiji Dao Body (Part 3)

Chapter 502: 501. Achieving the Taiji Dao Body (Part 3)

Among the previous generation of elders, only Yuan Mo Bai, Yao Yuan, Shangguan Ning, and Liu Xiao had reached the Upper Three Heavens cultivation level.

Among them, Yuan Mo Bai had already ascended to the Ninth Heaven's Great Vehicle Realm.

After Chen Yi's death, Yao Yuan also entered seclusion for cultivation and successfully achieved the Eighth Heaven's Divine Court Realm.

Among their peers, only Shangguan Ning, who was personally taught by the Celestial Master, remained at the Seventh Heaven Realm, while Li Qingfeng, Li Hongyu, and Li Ziyang had already perished.

In terms of age, Shangguan Ning was already over two hundred years old.

However, she had never been in a hurry to take that step forward.

Until now, she had finally made a decision.

Lei Jun believed that after careful consideration, she had gained confidence in herself, and this was the most suitable time.

"Inform the mansion that I will attend this year's initiation ceremony," Lei Jun instructed.

Cheng Rongrong's heart stirred, "Yes, Sect Leader."

It seemed that a new Celestial Master's personal disciple was about to be born.

Lei Jun was enjoying the process of repairing the Great Rectifier's cracks, restoring his lost immortal energy and divine power, cultivating the Taiji Dao Body, and adapting to the various changes it brought.

Time flew by.

Two years had passed since the Time Abyss's rebellion.

In the summer, Lei Jun celebrated his 105th birthday.

As time passed, autumn turned to winter, and the new year's eve was approaching.

On the 15th day of the first month of the new year, the Dragon Tiger Mountain would hold another initiation ceremony.

Before the new year, a young disciple who had reached the 12th layer of Qi Condensation and obtained the qualification for initiation was led by Elder Zhuo to the Great Rectifier.

"Disciple Feng Ting, paying respects to the Celestial Master," the gray-robed disciple bowed respectfully to Lei Jun.

Lei Jun looked at him with interest, "After returning to the mountain for two years, reaching the 12th layer of Qi Condensation is indeed a remarkable speed for our sect. But is this your true level?"

In terms of talent, Feng Ting was no less than Lei Jun's second disciple, Han Xiaofei, or Tang Xiaotang's disciple, Cheng Rongrong.

With such talent, their progress in the initial stages was often astonishingly fast.

Feng Ting was indeed faster than ordinary people, but he still fell short compared to Han Xiaofei and Cheng Rongrong.

However, it wasn't because he wasn't diligent in his cultivation.

Feng Ting lowered his head, "Disciple..."

He paused for a moment before finally raising his head and calmly speaking the truth, "The Celestial Master's insight is like a torch, and my small thoughts cannot escape your notice."

Lei Jun said, "Hiding your true strength is not wrong. It's been exactly two years since you returned to the mountain and the initiation ceremony. It won't hinder your future cultivation. However, after the initiation, there's no need to slow down your progress. In cultivation, it's best to follow the natural flow."

Feng Ting replied, "Disciple will follow the Celestial Master's teachings."

Indeed, he could have cultivated faster and reached the 12th layer of Qi Condensation, but he intentionally slowed down to just meet the requirements for the initiation ceremony.

The reason was simple; he had been taught from a young age to always keep some tricks up his sleeve and remain low-key and inconspicuous to avoid attracting unwanted attention.

Unfortunately, as soon as he entered the Dragon Tiger Mountain's Daoist Academy, the little guy became a celebrity.

Xu Yuanzhen had brought him back, and Elder Zhuo had taken care of him.

Although Xu Yuanzhen didn't usually take disciples, the two people she had brought back to the mountain were Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun.

Feng Ting couldn't help but become famous.

Now that things had come to this point, after familiarizing himself with the environment, Feng Ting didn't hide his abilities. He quickly became a leader among the disciples in the Daoist Academy in recent years.

Of course, he would participate in this year's initiation ceremony.

Even in this situation, he still habitually held back, slowing down his progress. Eventually, he just met the requirements before the initiation ceremony began.

After understanding Feng Ting's situation, Lei Jun couldn't help but smile.

No wonder Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen had mentioned earlier that Tang Xiaotang and this little guy probably wouldn't get along.

Although Han Xiaofei had the Taiyi Immortal Body and was naturally inconspicuous, her temperament was quite to Tang Xiaotang's liking.

Han Xiaofei's low-key nature wasn't something she actively pursued.

On the other hand, Feng Ting was the complete opposite. Despite his exceptional talent, he intentionally kept a low profile, as if he wanted to bury himself in the ground.

Lei Jun didn't mind this.

Moreover, although Feng Ting was young, he seemed to have a clear understanding of the situation. Since he had already become famous, he might as well embrace it.

Although he still held back, when Lei Jun asked, Feng Ting honestly answered.

Lei Jun could tell that this little disciple was still somewhat cautious about his surroundings. However, compared to the changes Elder Zhuo had observed in him over the past two years, he had become much more relaxed than before.

"A master chooses a disciple, and a disciple can also choose a master," Lei Jun said indifferently.

"You've been in the sect for two years now. What do you think?"

This time, Feng Ting didn't hesitate. He bowed to Lei Jun, "Disciple is unworthy, but I'm grateful that the sect hasn't abandoned me and has given me guidance. I can never repay this kindness, and I hope the master will show mercy!"

Lei Jun nodded to Elder Zhuo beside him, "You can represent me and attend the initiation ceremony in the human world."

Elder Zhuo replied, "Yes, Master."

Feng Ting said, "Thank you, Master, for your kindness!"

After they left, Lei Jun watched Feng Ting's departing figure, and his thoughts turned to:

Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen had picked up Tang Xiaotang first and then Lei Jun.

Was there some other reason why she had picked up Feng Ting as well?

It wasn't that Xu Yuanzhen was hiding something, but her luck in picking people was indeed mysterious.

Forget it, I'll observe and see what happens next... Lei Jun thought.

On the 15th day of the new year, the initiation ceremony was held, and Lei Tian Shi opened the mountain to accept disciples once again, taking in his third personal disciple.

His name was Feng Ting, and his Daoist name was Feng Huating.

With this, the current generation of Dragon Tiger Mountain had three personal disciples of the Celestial Master.

Feng Ting was able to listen to Lei Jun's teachings.

Although he was usually very low-key in his interactions with others, he was ambitious and made rapid progress in his cultivation, which impressed those around him even more.

However, his true nature was revealed in a different way.

Since he started learning how to create talismans, he and Cheng Rongrong both enjoyed researching various types of spiritual talismans.

Cheng Rongrong pursued her interests, while Feng Ting sought to broaden his skills without limitations.

Master Lei Jun did not prohibit this.

Due to their longevity, cultivators were ambitious and focused on cultivation, aiming to quickly break through realms and extend their lifespan.

However, this situation did not apply to Cheng Rongrong and Feng Ting.

Given their exceptional talents, even if they were distracted by studying talismans and combat techniques, their progress in realms would still surpass what most could achieve in a lifetime.

Master Lei Jun only instructed Feng Ting to grasp the nuances.

And this was precisely what Feng Ting excelled at.

As Feng Ting's cultivation gradually improved, the unique aspect of his Purple Mansion Immortal Body began to manifest.

Unlike the purple Nine Heavens Thunder, a bluish-purple thunderbolt emerged from Feng Ting's body.

"Is this... the Purple Mansion Immortal Thunder?" Feng Ting exclaimed in awe.

Master Lei Jun nodded slightly, then smiled and introduced the knowledge related to the formation of the Purple Mansion within Feng Ting's body: "Does it suit your liking?"

Feng Ting was delighted, nodding his head like a chick pecking at rice.

Standing before Master Lei Jun, Feng Ting's emotions became more apparent: "Master, when can I form my own thunderbolt Purple Mansion?"

"A preliminary outline will take shape at the third-level Altar realm, and it will truly begin to flourish at the fifth-level Dao Palace realm," Master Lei Jun explained. "At the eighth-level Divine Court realm, it will truly mature, but it's not the ultimate state. From then on, as you continue to ascend, your Purple Mansion Immortal Thunder will continue to transform as you achieve the Great Vehicle Dao Scene and even the Dao Scene Mystic Barrier."

He smiled, "A grand path is already laid out before you."

Feng Ting took a deep breath, "Yes, disciple will follow Master's teachings!"

However, a towering skyscraper cannot be built in a day.

Feng Ting had just entered the sect, and his current realm was still low. Even with his exceptional talent, progress required time.

On Master Lei Jun's side, a different scene unfolded.

While imparting the technique to Feng Ting, he guided him in comprehending and cultivating the Purple Mansion Immortal Thunder. Soon, Feng Ting grasped the intricacies of this thunder method.

For Master Lei Jun, the Purple Mansion Immortal Thunder had become self-evident.

The intertwining of bluish-purple thunderbolts directly formed a brand-new profound talisman.

Although it wasn't Master Lei Jun's innate divine ability, its power and intricacies were equally remarkable.

"Along with the Jade Pivot Immortal Thunder, Immortal Capital Immortal Thunder, and Great Thunder Immortal Thunder, this is also a Yang Thunder."

Master Lei Jun nodded slightly, "With this, there are now six Yang Thunders."

Nine Heavens Thunder.

Pure Yang Immortal Thunder.

Immortal Capital Immortal Thunder.

Jade Pivot Immortal Thunder.

Great Thunder Immortal Thunder that seeks the extremes, a hunter of the extremes.

Purple Mansion Immortal Thunder.

Six Yang Thunders in total.

Regarding Yin Thunder methods, Master Lei Jun had only cultivated two types: the Mysterious Firmament Immortal Thunder and the Pure Yin Immortal Thunder.

Within the Dao Scene Mystic Barrier's Yellow and Black Cosmos, Master Lei Jun sat in a cross-legged position.

On both sides of his body, eight divine ability talismans were arranged separately.

The six Yang Thunders were on one side, and the two Yin Thunders were on the other.

Under Master Lei Jun's control, the eight thunder methods converged.

The eight colors of gold, silver, purple, black, green, red, white, and blue thunder auras showed signs of merging.

The imbalance of Yin and Yang caused the thunder auras to continuously explode.

However, as a black and white Taiji diagram appeared and started rotating on Master Lei Jun's forehead, the numerous thunder auras began to harmonize and gradually solidified into shape.

The agitated and violent thunderbolts, at this moment, seemed to solidify like a solid.

Thus, within the dazzling thunder auras, a majestic and magnificent city, resembling a heavenly pass, stood tall within Master Lei Jun's Dao Scene Mystic Barrier.

A city entirely composed of thunderbolts.

Thunder Emperor City, or simply Thunder City.

Through this city, Master Lei Jun constructed his second innate divine ability.

The city gates of Thunder City opened.

Eight-colored thunder auras flashed from within, but the distribution still appeared uneven.

Aside from the purple Nine Heavens Thunder and the black Mysterious Firmament Immortal Thunder, which were opposite each other, the golden Pure Yang Immortal Thunder and the silver Pure Yin Immortal Thunder were also positioned opposite each other. The remaining four Yang Thunders currently flashed individually.

At this moment, Master Lei Jun sat atop Thunder City, his forehead displaying the rotating black and white Taiji diagram.

And within the massive Thunder City, an even larger black and white Taiji diagram rotated together.

The pivotal Yin and Yang, stirring the forces of creation, the power of controlling life and death, emanated from within.

At this time, as Master Lei Jun's thoughts moved, the ninth city gate opened.

After the gate opened, there seemed to be faint thunder rumbling from within, but no thunder auras were visible.

As time passed, a dark red thunder aura, which had been dimming, suddenly erupted.

A brand-new Yin Thunder, corresponding to Master Lei Jun's green Jade Pivot Immortal Thunder, emerged.

Because Master Lei Jun had already grasped the principles and insights of the Yellow Springs and Luoyuan's two netherworld realms, he infused this understanding into his divine ability transformation, thus giving birth to a new type of immortal thunder that had never existed before in this world.

Netherworld Immortal Thunder.

With the resonance of Yin and Yang, the ninth-colored thunder aura rose within Thunder City.

Immediately after, the tenth gate slowly opened.

Next, Master Lei Jun relied on one of the wondrous functions of the Taiji Dao Body, constantly revolving his acquired knowledge, as if giving birth to myriad phenomena with a single thought, controlling the myriad phenomena of the universe. Using the six Yang Thunder methods he had already cultivated, he deduced and created the corresponding six Yin Thunder methods.

In this process, he gradually created his second innate divine ability.

Furthermore, Master Lei Jun then used the Taiji Dao Body to refine the two treasures in his possession.

Heaven Sealing Seal.

Heaven Bearing Seal.

Tang Xiaotang had entered the Time Abyss without taking these two jade seals with her. Instead, she instructed that they be returned to Master Lei Jun, who was in Great Rectifier.

The existence of the Heaven Sealing Seal had been mentioned by Heaven-Bearing Daoist, but he hadn't anticipated that Master Lei Jun would further refine the Heaven Bearing Seal, causing the two seals to merge and form the wondrous function of double heaven sealing, which would restrain Heaven-Bearing in a critical moment.

However, it would only last for an instant.

There was no need to reflect and devise a solution afterward.

At that moment, given Heaven-Bearing's comprehension and strength, he would quickly free himself from the influence of the double heaven sealing.

This unexpected move caused the opponent to suffer a minor setback, but there wouldn't be another opportunity next time.

Unless...

For example, Master Lei Jun was currently secretly cultivating the Taiji Dao Body.

Then, he further refined the Heaven Sealing Seal and the Heaven Bearing Seal.

Thus, under Master Lei Jun's control, on the black and white Taiji diagram, the two jade seals were placed at the black and white points, each situated in opposite colors.

As the black and white Taiji diagram rotated, the graphics began to roll and even fold.

The two jade seals transformed from solid to void.

Accompanying the folding of the black and white Taiji diagram, the illusory jade seals gradually began to merge together.

Lei Jun's forehead also had a rotating black and white Taiji diagram.

He silently cultivated his profound art, patiently observing everything, and calmly practiced.

…………………………

After the shocking change in the Time Abyss, Lei Jun resided in the Great Rectifier, quietly cultivating and refining treasures, unaware of the passing of time.

In the human world outside, the situation was rapidly changing.

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the Later Han Dynasty advanced from the north to the south and from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River downstream, moving from west to east, making progress on two fronts, and officially conquering the Southern Wu Kingdom.

The Ling Mountain changed its master, and the Pure Sky sealed its doors.

Neither Wang Dianchen nor Ruan Qiao appeared in the world again.

Even Peng Yushan, after the Time Abyss incident, no longer roamed the human realm.

The most desperate were not the Pure Sky and Ling Mountain factions in the Southern Yue and Southern Han countries.

Instead, it was the Southern Wu Kingdom, which had previously been the most thorough in pledging allegiance to the former Celestial Palace.

The Later Han Dynasty, having already initially completed the conquest of the Liang and Chu kingdoms, continued its expansion despite the absence of the current Guardian of the Nation, Wood Pavilion Master. However, with Emperor Zhou Pu leading the campaign personally, they successfully swept through the Southern Wu Kingdom.

Zhou Pu personally executed Tang Gong, the Martial Saint of the Southern Wu Kingdom.

Tang Chongye, the Crown Prince of Southern Wu, stationed his troops outside and later fled.

With the conquest of Southern Wu, the Later Han Dynasty further expanded its territory after the Northern Liang and Southern Chu.

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the Later Han Dynasty had already swallowed up the world.

The remaining Southern Han, Southern Yue, and Later Shu kingdoms were all in a state of panic.

The world had hope for reunification.

In contrast, the situation in the human realm of the Great Ming Dynasty became increasingly chaotic, shifting from a well-governed state to turmoil.

At the same time as Emperor Ming's death, the national fortune and destiny of the Great Ming Dynasty were completely severed.

The Great Ming Dynasty, already in turmoil due to previous oppression, now erupted with a rebellion across the land.

The Great Ming Dynasty began to falter, and the Grand Tutor Zhou Mingzhe took responsibility and retired.

Although the remaining officials supported the crown prince's ascension, the new emperor struggled to regain the imperial aura.

In the human realm of the Great Ming Dynasty, there were signs of a new era of contention.

Among them was a former Great Ming officer named Luo Hai, whose influence was particularly astonishing. He gathered his troops and quickly made a name for himself.

Compared to the raging fires in other regions, the Daoist sects continued to make steady progress.

Their existence, along with the White Lotus Sect, could not be ignored by any power in this human realm.

…………………………

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, there were signs of an end to the chaotic era.

In the human realm of the Great Ming Dynasty, the situation gradually deteriorated into chaos.

In the current Han Dynasty's human realm, there was peace and tranquility.

However, beneath the calm, a small number of people felt anxious and uneasy.

Even the most steadfast disciples of the Yellow Sky Dao, at this moment, felt lost and confused.

News from a few years ago spread—after the Battle of Penglai, Lei Jun, the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain, had slain Quan Yuanqi, a former Celestial Palace immortal, in the Saha world.

The Pure Sky was now closed, leaving no trace.

The reputation of the Celestial Master Lei was at its peak.

The remaining disciples of the Yellow Sky Dao who stayed were extremely determined, and most of them had had fierce confrontations with the Celestial Master's Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain in the past, with blood feuds between them.

But having persisted until now, even they felt lost, not knowing which direction to turn.

Although the sect could now move, greatly improving the environment for the Yellow Sky Dao, it was like a drop in the bucket.

Kang Ming, the current leader of the Yellow Sky Sect, possessed exceptional strength and talent. He had already cultivated to the fourth layer of the Eighth Heaven, just one step away from the Great Vehicle realm of the Ninth Heaven.

Perfecting the Yellow Sky Sect brought him profound benefits.

However, even if Kang Ming reached the Ninth Heaven in a short time, the gap between the Yellow Sky Dao and the Dragon Tiger Mountain Mansion was still too discouraging.

More crucially, there was no hope in sight.

Not to mention that Lei Jun, Tang Xiaotang, and Xu Yuanzhen, the three True Lords of the Daoist sects, the Dragon Tiger Mountain Mansion currently had at least Yuan Mo Bai and Chu Kun, two Great Vehicles of the Ninth Heaven, and numerous other experts, while also leading and commanding various Daoist sacred sites in the human realm.

The only one who remained calm was Kang Ming himself.

He calmly gathered the remaining core high-ranking members of the Yellow Sky Dao.

Kang Ming did not blame anyone, but calmly asked everyone if they would be willing to join the former Celestial Palace if the Pure Sky reopened.

No one had such thoughts.

Although they were not on the same path as the current Dragon Tiger Mountain Mansion, they all traced their roots back to the Dragon Tiger Mountain disciples after the Daoist law reform at the end of the Han Dynasty.

"Since that's the case, I have something to say, and I hope you'll consider it."

Kang Ming looked at everyone calmly, "In the past, I said that Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang were fair in their actions, but I can't guarantee they won't change in the future, nor can I guarantee that their disciples will be the same.

Now, some years have passed, and Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang's style of conduct has remained unchanged.

And now, as they have both ascended to the immortal realm, their longevity has greatly increased. Even if they retire from their positions, they can maintain the long-term clarity within the Mansion.

Moreover, in recent years, Lei Jun's disciples, Zhuo Baojie and Han Xiaofei, have been walking in the human realm more frequently. I've been paying close attention to related news, and their actions are very different from those of the Li family in the past."

After hearing Kang Ming's words, the Yellow Sky Dao disciples below exchanged glances.

Kang Ming spoke up, "Although we have maintained unity, the dispute from that day until now is probably time to determine a winner."

He sighed lightly, "We lost. Unless we encounter a calamity like the great catastrophe at the end of the Han Dynasty, it's difficult to reverse the situation. Personally, I don't want that kind of calamity to happen again.

Given Lei Jun's current cultivation, I believe you all can understand that we have remained safe until now, which, conversely, indicates that the Dragon Tiger Mountain Mansion is no longer pursuing us with all its might."

Chen Ziyang and Xiahou Bo remained silent, not speaking.

Someone nearby took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "What does the Sect Master mean..."

Kang Ming said, "I know that the older generation here mostly had blood feuds with the Dragon Tiger Mountain Mansion. However, the younger generation, especially those from the Great Han Dynasty, is different."

He looked at Xiahou Bo and the other young disciples, "The younger ones without blood feuds can go to Dragon Tiger Mountain. If you don't want to go to the Great Tang, you can go to the Great Han."

"Master..." Xiahou Bo wanted to speak but stopped.

You don't have blood feuds on your hands.

The others stared at Kang Ming.

Kang Ming remained calm and smiled, "As for me, it's not my concern. I won't go anywhere; I'll stay here at the Yellow Sky Sect."

He smiled at Chen Ziyang and the others, "I'll always stay here. For those with blood on their hands who can't turn back, I and the Yellow Sky Sect will provide a final refuge."

Chen Ziyang and the others bowed to their Sect Master.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end